A bill to establish a statewide do-not-call list for telemarketers is currently working its way through the Ohio Senate.
The proposed bill would prevent Ohio telemarketers from calling state residents who joined a do-not-call list. A similar federal bill, which takes effect in October, will create a do-not-call list for telemarketers outside of their own state.
Ohio Sen. Robert Spada, R-North Royalton, introduced the bill. He said he received a lot of complaints about telemarketing calls from his constituents.
"I should have the right to tell these people [telemarketers] I don't want to hear from them. This will stop people from harassing people at home who didn't want to receive calls from telemarketers," he said.
The bill would not prevent non-profit charities or political groups from calling. If a business, such as banks and telephone companies, had a prior relationship with a consumer, the business can continue calling, Spada said.
Companies not honoring a do-not-call list could face court injunctions, restraining orders or fines of $500 to $2,000, according to the bill.
Ryan Lippe, a spokesperson for the Ohio Consumers' Council, an advocacy group for Ohioans, said the bill is an important piece of legislation.
"We are strongly in support of the bill," Lippe said. "We've been behind this since day one. We believe it's essential that consumers have a way to just say no to telemarketers."
Spada said he anticipates opposition from state businesses, but EBSCO Telemarketing Services Vice President Bob Prosise said he does not have a problem with the bill.
"Would it cause a large problem with the calling we do? No, not really," he said.
Lippe said the state could take Ohio phone numbers from the federal do-not-call list, which consumers can begin joining July 1, and apply it to the state list.
Sen. James Carnes, R-St. Clairsville, said while he has not yet read the bill, he would likely vote for it.
"I certainly support that objective. I want a person to have the opportunity to stop telemarketers from calling," he said.
Rep. Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens, said he might vote for the bill if it reaches the House, though he would have to read it closely.
"I will take a close look at it and consider it; it sounds interesting. It sounds like it's got quite a bit of merit to it, though," Stewart said
If the bill passes, potential ways to sign up for the do-not-call list would include the Internet, phone and mail.
The Senate Committee of Public Utilities is scheduled to vote on bill April 8. April 8. If the bill passes committee it could be voted on the Senate floor as early as April 9, said Michele Hulse, a Spada legislative aide.
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